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墨書 Inktalez
The Contradiction of Big and Small.
Whenever these contradictions arise, Foolai always naively says, "Suffering a loss is a blessing." His smile seems to be a mask that covers all his discomfort and grievances.
One day, while I was wandering around the village, I reached Foolai's house. A crowd had already gathered there.
"Alright, you Foolai. Are you the one who stole my chickens?" Aunt Wang's voice came through.
I struggled to squeeze my way in. Aunt Wang was notorious for being sharp-tongued and fierce. In the face of her unreasonable accusations, Foolai simply smiled innocently and did not retort.
"Auntie, what have I done to offend you? Just tell me, and I'll change."
"Stop with the nonsense. You passed by my house yesterday afternoon, and now my chickens are missing. If it wasn't you, then who else could it be?" Aunt Wang said, hands on her hips, her plump body shaking with anger.
"Wang Chunhua, Foolai is such an honest person; how could he steal chickens?"
"Exactly! Maybe it was a weasel."
"Chunhua, without evidence, this is just slander."
The villagers murmured among themselves, all siding with Foolai. I looked at the foolishly smiling Foolai.
"Aunt Chunhua, if you could calm down and catch a chicken from my coop, you can take whichever one you want."
"It's not good to falsely accuse someone in our village," she retorted.
As soon as those words were spoken, the villagers erupted in outrage.
"Wang Chunhua, you heartless person! You think Foolai is so honest that he won't argue back."
"Wang Chunhua, stop looking for trouble all the time," came the Village Chief's voice from afar.
I looked at the Village Chief, feeling it was abrupt that he had made a judgment without even asking questions. Although I knew both their personalities well, shouldn't there be some inquiry into both sides' testimonies? At least a formality?
Seeing that the Village Chief did not side with her either, Aunt Wang gritted her teeth in anger.
"Alright then, Foolai."
"I won't let this go."
With those harsh words, Aunt Wang stormed off in a huff.
"Everyone has dispersed; it's all a misunderstanding. You all should keep your mouths shut and not spread rumors that could tarnish the village's reputation." The Village Chief waved his hand to disperse the crowd and turned to gently reassure Foolai. "Foolai, that's just how Wang Chunhua is. Don't take it to heart; we are all from the same village and will see each other often."
"I understand, Village Chief."
At noon, I went to Uncle Wang's house for lunch and told him about the situation.
"Uncle Wang, Aunt Wang and you..."
"She is my cousin, married into Li Family Village. She had a daughter, but after her husband passed away, her in-laws drove her and her daughter out because they wanted a son. My uncle brought them back and settled them in the village."
"What about grandpa Wang?"
"My uncle passed away five or six years ago, and since then, they have relied on each other. I sometimes help out, but it doesn't do much good."
"Aunt Wang doesn't like it."
"Kid, what do you expect? After all, we are not from the same family; how could I help with everything? I just feel helpless that I can't make their lives better."
Oh! This relationship is so complicated.
I wandered around the fields, seeing Foolai busying himself among the crops. Sweat soaked his clothes, and when he saw me, he smiled warmly and called out, "Master Zhou, come have some water and take a break."
"No thanks, you carry on," I quickly declined.
I don't know why, but after this morning's incident, I felt something was off about Foolai. Instinctively, I didn't want to get entangled with him.
As I strolled through the village, I eventually found myself standing in front of an unsettling formation. Dark red pig's blood flowed slowly at the center of the formation, emitting a suffocating metallic smell.
This energy, this chilling power stirred an ominous premonition within me. I tightened my grip on the Bagua Mirror in my hand, filled with confusion and unease.
I searched carefully and discovered an ancient rune deep within the formation. It resembled the techniques of Mingyang Chamber but carried a twisted and malevolent aura.
I closed my eyes, trying to suppress the doubts and fears in my heart. Yet the shadows of those runes became increasingly clear in my mind.
I began to question myself: had I taken a wrong turn?
Did I misunderstand my master's teachings?
However, at that moment, Master Zhao Liang's words echoed in my heart: "The art itself has no distinction between good and evil; the key lies in the heart of the user." This statement pierced through the fog in my mind like a beam of light. Yes, the art has no good or evil; it all depends on the heart.
I opened my eyes, my gaze becoming resolute. I chose to believe in Mingyang Chamber, to trust my master's teachings, and to have faith in the bonds among fellow disciples. This evil formation, no matter what connection it has with Mingyang Chamber, cannot shake my conviction.
I reached out and touched the runes, feeling the energy they emitted. This energy was cold and eerie, yet my heart felt warm. I must uncover the truth behind this evil formation. I need to prove that the arts of Mingyang Chamber are just, even in the darkest corners.
I stood beneath the Old Huai Tree, moonlight filtering through its sparse branches, casting mottled shadows on the runes of the formation. These runes were arranged according to a principle of yin and yang that I was familiar with, aligning perfectly with the philosophy of Mingyang Chamber, stirring deep questions within me.
Who had laid such an intricate formation in this Misty Village? I delved deeper, touching every stroke of the runes and gradually realized that this formation was designed not merely for protection or attack but to balance the yin and yang energies of the village. This balance is the highest realm pursued by Mingyang Chamber's arts. Yet here, it concealed unknown secrets.
Just when I thought I had grasped the secret of the formation and was ready to unveil its veil, I unexpectedly discovered a hidden focal point. It was concealed at the roots of the Old Huai Tree, covered by soil and fallen leaves, almost blending into its surroundings. The existence of this focal point heightened my unease and fear once again. It hinted that this formation might have a deeper purpose—a truth I had yet to touch.
I crouched down, carefully clearing away the soil around the focal point, my heartbeat echoing in my chest. Each beat felt like a reminder that I was approaching a secret that could overturn all my understanding. The moment my fingers brushed against the focal point, a cold energy surged up my arm, striking at my very soul.
I felt an unprecedented fear and foreboding. This formation was not merely a tool for balancing yin and yang. It was alive.
With my own will and purpose, I must be cautious, for every step could be a trap, and every choice could lead to an abyss. I rise to my feet, taking a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to calm the turmoil within me. I know that no matter what lies hidden behind this formation, I must face it and uncover its true nature.
I grip the Bagua Mirror tightly; it is my only support and my weapon against the unknown. Under the moonlight, I continue forward, each step treading upon uncertainty and fear. I can sense that the hidden formation is challenging me. And I, Zhou Yi, will bravely accept this challenge.
Suddenly, the runes at the center of the formation begin to emit a faint glow, as if responding to my touch. I cautiously take a step back but realize that the light is not aggressive; rather, it seems to be showing me something. I focus my gaze and notice that within the glow, images begin to emerge, like ancient memories being awakened.
In these images, I see the Ancestors of the village, laboring and living on this land in harmony with nature. But as time passed, greed and hatred began to erode their spirits, disrupting the balance of yin and yang and bringing disaster upon them. To protect the village, a wise Ancestor set up this formation to maintain balance and prevent greater calamities.
However, the power of the formation is not infinite; it requires regular maintenance and replenishment. I realize that this focal point is the core of the formation's power and key to maintaining balance in the village. Now, however, the strength of this focal point is gradually weakening. If it is not replenished, the formation will lose its effectiveness, and the village will face new disasters.
Taking a deep breath, I come to a decision. I must find a way to replenish the power of this focal point to maintain this balance of yin and yang and protect the village. This is not only my trial but also my responsibility.
I touch the focal point again, this time with respect and determination. The cold energy spreads once more, but this time I do not feel fear; instead, I feel a connection—a connection to this land and to this village.
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